As we celebrate Community College Month in April, it’s a great time to reflect on and celebrate the impact Black Hawk College makes.
It’s also a great time to start planning your college education. Find your fit by visiting, virtually or in person. You will learn what Black Hawk College has to offer and how to get started.
If you’re not pursuing a degree right now, Black Hawk is still here for you.
Check out continuing education opportunities for professional development or fun, or adult education if you need to earn a GED® or work on academic skills.
For 75 years, Black Hawk College has provided quality education to serve the region. That’s right, 2021 marks 75 years since Black Hawk College was founded!
Black Hawk College began in 1946 as Moline Community College to accommodate World War II veterans seeking higher education. Much has changed since then, including the name.
Significant growth has allowed Black Hawk to continue to meet the community’s needs. In 2020, Black Hawk grew again, this time by launching a completely online Associate in Arts degree to serve students anywhere.
Two campuses (the Quad-Cities Campus in Moline and the East Campus near Kewanee) and multiple centers make up Black Hawk’s physical presence.
As wonderful as our locations are, Black Hawk is much more than our buildings: we’re about people.
From the dedicated faculty members who educate to the staff members who keep the college running smoothly and, most importantly, to the students who are the reason for it all.
For generations, Black Hawk College graduates have gone on to fulfilling careers or to four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
Jayne Biscontine-O’Brien earned her Associate in Arts in 1983 before transferring to Southern Illinois University to earn her bachelor’s degree.
She is the director of Moline Community Development Corporation and credits Black Hawk for helping start her professional journey.
“BHC provided coursework that allowed me to discover more about my areas of interest,” Biscontine-O’Brien said. “Coursework was relevant and offered real world insights.”
She liked that professors really cared about curricula and students and that Black Hawk offers resources to make college education accessible.
“Black Hawk offered me the opportunity to attend college as it was affordable,” she said. “Furthermore, the assistance with financial aid and scholarships showed me a college education was possible.”
Ashley Hanson of Davenport also transferred to a four-year school after earning her Associate in Arts degree.
The 2017 grad transferred to Western Illinois University Quad Cities where she majored in English and professional writing.
“It was very smooth,” Hanson said of transferring, adding that she was prepared for her WIU classes. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2019.
Hanson, like Biscontine-O’Brien, noted how affordable Black Hawk is and how scholarships and financial aid can make it even more affordable.
She wants prospective students to know you start at Black Hawk and get a quality education for a fraction of the cost of what it would cost at a four-year institution.
“You do not have to pay $40,000 a year to get your degree,” she said.
Hanson was active on campus, participating in a few clubs and tutoring others in English, which she enjoyed. Another highlight was a caring academic advisor who helped her navigate college.
There’s a path for you at Black Hawk College, too.
Community College Month, or #CCMonth, is coordinated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).